I was changing the brakes on my 1988 Subaru XT, I did one side no problem. Then I got to the other side and take the hub off and notice that the splines were completely gone, nothing left. The axle was fine no sign of damage. What can I do to stop this from happing in the future, or what caused this in the first place?

G’day Hamm3y, 

Youre the first one I’ve heard of this happening to on an EA82 platform, I’ve heard of many on the EA81 platform. 

Causes? Probably a loose castleated nut or a shot cone washer. Someone might know. 

The fix is to replace that hub with another one. 

Cheers 

Bennie

As stated. Now here’s a tip.

Over on the dreaded face book there’s a guy on a few of “our” forums by the name of David Melcher. I suggest you contact him immediately.

He has supplied to me the exact same parts. Mine were for EA71 1970’s Subarus but it’s the same situation through the 80’s and the EA82 here. I do realize it’s more common on the earlier ea71 and ea81 vehicles but has also happened on Loyales. 
 

David is top notch. Great person doing extraordinary things for the used Subaru owners community. 
 

I just received two boxes of vented disk calipers with parking brake lines and backing plates from David to upgrade my 79 wagon from the nasty first gen calipers and solid rotors. 
 

And I’d gladly continue to buy from a guy like him. 
 

Best of luck ! 

Have a pair of hubs, with turned rotors, along with cone washers and castle nuts.  If you are still in need.  This is EA-82 stuff.  

Dave S  southern New Mexico (clean parts).